In the latest of Digital Spy's comprehensive series of reviews of DC Comics' Before Watchmen prequels, we take a look at Nite Owl #2.

Who's it by?Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #2 is written by J Michael Straczynski, pencilled by Andy Kubert and inked by Joe Kubert. The Curse of the Crimson Corsair back-up is written by Len Wein and drawn by original series colourist John Higgins.

What happens?
Straczynski and the Kuberts continue their exploration of Nite Owl and Rorschach's original team-up, with the pair of heroes finding themselves embroiled with the mysteries of a dead prostitute and a very alive madame. In doing so, we learn a bit more about the two very different characters' pasts and how they have shaped their adult lives.

What's the verdict?Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #2 is a noticeable improvement on the debut issue of this miniseries. After a mess of pacing in its debut it is good to see this miniseries settle down and jettison a lot of the things that threatened to bog it down.

After the rushed mess of issue #1, this issue is remarkably slower, indulging in some flashbacks but otherwise turning its attention to a period that can be measured in days. Readers could almost argue that it is a little too slow, but fortunately this comic's strength is in its character development rather than its action.

The exploration of Nite Owl and Rorschach's past and motivations, while not really telling us much that we did not already know about the characters, is at least deftly handled. Straczynski draws lines between their relationships with their mothers and their current actions that feel true and interesting, especially in Nite Owl's case. The necessity for the inclusion of the naked madame character might be questionable, but interestingly from these two issues, Daniel Dreiberg's mum seems to be turning into the star of the title.

It is also a relief that the comedy routine from Nite Owl #1 is replaced with a more measured portrayal of the crimefighting partners' relationship, comparing and contrasting them in a genuinely engaging way rather than playing (and failing) for laughs. The artistic inconsistencies of the previous issue have also been ironed out, making for a far smoother read.

Nite Owl #2 has progressed in leaps and bounds from its previous issue. It still doesn't quite feel necessary or suitably illuminating in terms of its characters, but taken on its own it is a solid and perfectly enjoyable comic.